In general, under Secretary of the Interior Guidelines, all windows should be repaired and maintained and must not be allowed to deteriorate. Repairs which match the original in scale, material and design are not considered changes. All work requires a building permit and must be inspected by the Building Department.

Information Required for Commission Review

1. Submitted Drawings: Should be approximately to scale, clearly labeled, and drawn on 8-1/2 x 11 white paper. Refer to Design Standards in Section III.

2. Front and Side Elevations: Elevations should include entire facade of house to show how windows relate to the building. Indicate which windows are affected as well as those which are not. Number windows on each elevation. Refer numbers to list giving sizes. Indicate whether size is rough or finished opening.

3. Details: Provide manufacturer's specifications showing type, material and cutaway profile of proposed replacement windows.

III. Design Guidelines Summary

1. General Approach:Original windows are considered a primary character-defining feature on any building. They also represent a resource which cannot be duplicated since contemporary materials and manufacturing processes in most instances are inferior to those used in older windows. They should be protected through regular maintenance including proper glazing, caulking, weatherstrippping and painting. When the physical condition warrants additional work repairing is recommended. Guidance for the repair of historic materials such a masonry, wood and architectural metals begins with the least degree of intervention possible such as patching, piecing-in, splicing, consolidating or otherwise reinforcing or upgrading [the windows] according to recognized preservation methods. Repairing also includes the limited replacement in kind - or with compatible substitute material - of extensively deteriorated or missing parts of features when there are surviving prototypes. Although using the same kind of material is always the preferred option, substitute material is acceptable if the form and design as well as the substitute material itself convey the visual appearance of the remaining parts of the window. (Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings, U.S. Secretary of the Interior.)

2. Specific Features: Include: frames, sash, muntins, glazing, sills, heads, hoodmolds, paneled or decorated jambs and moldings, exterior shutters. It is not recommended that any of these features be removed or radically changed.

3. Materials: New materials should match the original in profile particularly with regard to glazing, muntins and sash frame. Vinyl is not an acceptable replacement material. Fiberglass may be considered in certain situations. Single thickness glazing in wood sash may be removed and replaced by new double glazing where the thickness of the sash permits.

4. Muntins Summary: Where existing windows have muntins, the preferred type of replacement window is single-glazed with true divided lights and storm windows for energy efficiency. Where windows are replaced with new double-glazed sash, the new muntins should be glued to the exterior and interior of the glass. True divided lights are not recommended with double glazing for energy reasons. Muntins sandwiched between the panes of glass or snapped on the interior are not acceptable. Where fiberglass sash are permitted, wood muntins should be snapped in or glued on the exterior. In each case, the muntin pattern for replacement sash should be duplicated. Where the vertical muntin is wider than the horizontal muntins, this distinction should be maintained.

5. Storm Windows - Traditional wood storm windows are recommended as the most economical and energy efficient solution. Where circumstances warrant, an installation which can be converted from winter to summer with less effort is indicated and painted or anodized aluminum combination storm windows may be used.